Colombian Navy units in maritime control operations in the Colombian Pacific region intercepted five Ecuadorian-flagged ships near the Malpelo National Natural Park when they were carrying out illegal fishing activities without the corresponding permits.
The first ship named Benyi was crewed by two Ecuadorians and a Colombian, during the inspection the military personnel found that the individuals were transporting 720 kilograms of goldfish.
Subsequently, the Coast Guard personnel intercepted a second ship named Katiuska in the area, crewed by three men of Ecuadorian nationality, carrying 780 kilograms of goldfish.
In the last few hours, the military personnel intercepted three boats named Jehova es mi pastor, Catalina and Nicolás Luis Alejandro manned by four individuals of Ecuadorian nationality, which were carrying 326 kilograms of squid and goldfish.
The first two boats were transported to the port of Buenaventura and the other three to the District of San Andrés de Tumaco. The material found was put into custody of the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority - AUNAP, which determined that the 1500 kilograms transported to Buenaventura were in poor conditions so they were returned to the sea. Later, it confirmed that the total quantity found by troops was 1,826 kilograms of fishing.
According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Specimens of Wild Fauna and Flora - CITES, the goldfish is protected but not endangered, this sea specimen of the Coryphaena family is distributed throughout the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
So far this year, the Pacific Naval Force has found 5,774 kilograms of illegal fishing.
Source: Press – Navy of Colombia
